Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is the newest IP from developer Naughty Dog. Responsible for major gaming franchises like The Last of Us and Uncharted, Naughty Dog is switching things up this time around and diving into sci-fi waters. Intergalactic follows bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun as she becomes stranded on the mysterious planet of Sempiria.
This change in direction for Naughty Dog is compelling, as the developer hasn't really ventured into heavy sci-fi yet. Uncharted has its more out-of-this-world moments, but between the action adventure franchise and the bleak story of The Last of Us, Naughty Dog has made itself known as a more grounded developer. Jak and Daxter had sci-fi and fantasy elements, too, but Naughty Dog has really embraced realism over the years. The Last of Us has been one of the developer's biggest successes, and although Intergalactic appears to be vastly different, it could find inspiration from a piece of the former's lore: Savage Starlight comics.
How Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Could Challenge Players’ Perception of Faith
Set on a planet isolated for centuries, Intergalactic looks poised to explore how long-standing faith can evolve into something more controlling.
Savage Starlight Could Be a Surprising Source of Inspiration For Intergalactic
The Last of Us' Charming Collectibles
- Savage Starlight is a fictional comic book series that exists in TLOU's universe.
- The story follows Dr. Daniela Star as she explores space, discovering a hostile alien race that wants to destroy humanity.
- Savage Starlight is featured in TLOU2 in the form of trading cards instead of comics.
In both games, Savage Starlight is one of the few ties Ellie has to the pre-Cordyceps world, and she becomes an avid collector. The aesthetic and artwork of Savage Starlight teases its own compelling sci-fi story nestled within the world of The Last of Us, and it seems perfect for its own video game. A Savage Starlight game may be a mere pipe dream at the moment, but Intergalactic could prove to have more in common with the fictional comic series than one might think.
Actor Tati Gabrielle portrays Jordan A. Mun, but this isn't her first time working with Naughty Dog. She appears in the live-action Uncharted movie and is set to play Nora in season 2 of HBO's live-action TLOU series.
Ways Savage Starlight Could Inspire Intergalactic
- Imagery
- Characters
- Plot points
Savage Starlight may not have a deep well of lore to pull from, since it's merely a series of collectibles, but the general alien premise could prove to be a potential starting point for Intergalactic's story. Even more importantly, the imagery of the Savage Starlight comics and cards might have influenced the costume and character designs for Intergalactic. It's incredibly easy to imagine protagonist Jordan showcased on one of the Savage Starlight covers.
If Intergalactic feels even slightly like Savage Starlight, it might be an exciting way to connect Naughty Dog's new sci-fi adventure with The Last of Us universe. After the success of The Last of Us, it may feel strange to dive into the far less grounded world of Intergalactic, but having similarities to Savage Starlight could offer a comforting source of familiarity.
According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Intergalactic may not launch until 2027.
Naughty Dog Might Have More Tricks Up Its Sleeve
- Rumors have suggested the developer is working on another secret IP.
- Naughty Dog has not confirmed or denied these claims.
Until the studio officially says something, any reports regarding a secret Naughty Dog IP in development should be met with heavy skepticism. There's no way to know for sure what the developer is doing behind the scenes, but Intergalactic could be the beginning of even more experimentation on the studio's part.
Once the game is finally here, it will be exciting to see if Intergalactic and Savage Starlight share any similarities. Naughty Dog is taking a bold leap with this new adventure, and it could prove to be one of its most compelling worlds yet.
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
